A 1,000 space car park will be opening two months ahead of schedule - just in time for the rush of thousands of visitors heading to Lincoln for the Christmas market.

The new Lincoln Central car park, which forms part of the City of Lincoln Council’s £30million Transport Hub project, will now open on Friday, November 17 to coincide with the switch-on of the Christmas lights.

The Transport Hub development includes the new car park, a state-of-the-art bus station, improvements to the railway station forecourt, a new access for vehicles into the railway station car park and pedestrian plaza linking Sincil Street and High Street to the city’s railway station.

In April this year, Lincolnshire Live went up to the top of the car park and filmed footage from the roof, shown in video above, while the work was underway.

The development will play a major part in revitalising this area of the city centre and the multi-million pound transformation currently underway in The Cornhill Quarter.

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A new vision of Lincoln’s £30 million transport hub, which includes a 1,000 space multi-storey car park, bus station, shops and a railway footbridge.

The car park will have a charging point for electric vehicles and disabled car parking spaces at ground and first floor level along with passenger lifts leading out into the Sincil Street and High Street areas and to the bus and railway stations.

The council said the scheduled opening date for the new bus station will be in January, 2018. The current temporary bus station will remain open until the new one is operational.

From 5pm onwards on the day of opening, the car park will be part of the city council’s free parking offer to encourage people to come into the city and enjoy the start of the festive shopping period.

Cllr Ric Metcalfe, leader of the City of Lincoln Council, said: ”It’s fantastic news for Lincoln that we are able to bring forward the opening date of such a significant asset for the city.

Ric Metcalfe, leader of the City of Lincoln Council

“Providing 1,000 extra parking spaces in the city centre on the run up to Christmas will provide a welcome boost for all its shops and businesses which rely so heavily on the income generated over the festive season.

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“We will have to wait until the new year for the Hub to be fully open, but it’s essential for city businesses that we prioritise the car park and bring in as many shoppers as possible over the Christmas period. Opening the Hub in a staggered way also minimises any risks that may arise.

“The overall Transport Hub development will play a key part in the city’s continued renaissance and promises to create an attractive and welcoming gateway to the city for residents, visiting shoppers and tourists alike.

"It will be a catalyst for continued growth in a city which is already seen as a great place to live, study, work and visit.”

David Reid, operations manager at Willmott Dixon, which has carried out the building work, said: “We are delighted to be working with the City of Lincoln Council and to be part of this exciting scheme which will play an important part in Lincoln’s regeneration upon completion, which will make a huge difference to the city’s tourism and local community.

The 1,000 space car park which forms part of the development of the Transport Hub will open two months earlier than planned

"It is fantastic that we have been able to complete the new car park ahead of schedule too, just in time for the festive season.

“As well as being a key regeneration scheme for Lincoln, the Transport Hub has also been acting as a training ground for a number of local young people who will be able to get hands-on experience of working on a construction site and learn more about the industry. It is an invaluable project and has already had a positive impact on the city.”

The Transport Hub has been developed by City of Lincoln Council in partnership with The Department of Transport, Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Lincolnshire Co-op and Network Rail, working with East Midlands Trains and Lincolnshire County Council.

It has been backed by £13million funding from The Department of Transport and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.